Miaoli: Rail service between Miaoli and Zhunan stations in Miaoli County was disrupted early Thursday after an excavator overturned onto the track during maintenance work, according to Taiwan Railway Corp. (TR). Train traffic through the affected section is currently limited to a single track in both directions, resulting in delays of around 10 to 15 minutes, TR said in a statement.

According to Focus Taiwan, a total of 30 train services have been affected, with repair work underway and normal operations expected to resume by 1 p.m. Until then, 14 services have been adjusted, and all trains with reserved seating are making additional stops at Miaoli and Zhunan stations. Standing tickets are also being made available for the reserved trains, TR said.

Passengers delayed by more than 45 minutes may apply for a full refund, without handling fees, at any Taiwan Railway ticket counter within one year of travel. Those who purchased tickets with credit cards should show both the card and ticket when applying for a refund.

The incident occurred at 4:23 a.m., when an excavator tipped over onto the railway tracks during maintenance work. The excavator's bucket fell over a nearby bridge into a stand of trees below.

At a legislative hearing on Thursday, Deputy Transport Minister Wu Sheng-yuan said an emergency task force had been assembled to deal with the issue and help minimize disruptions. The accident occurred during routine maintenance work, and the maintenance workers were using a modified excavator arm to trim tree branches near overhead electrical lines. However, the arm was extended too far, tipping the excavator off balance and causing it to overturn.

Taiwan Railway usually suspends train operations whenever there are concerns about obstructions on the tracks and, if necessary, cuts power to the line. Service would resume only after safety had been confirmed.

Kuomintang Legislator Hung Mong-kai said that the accident indicated flaws in the work methods, calling for Taiwan Railway to review its procedures and submit an improvement report within one month.